Building-block for wall constructions.



R. G. D. OWEN. BUILDING BLOCK FOR WALL GONSTRUGTIONS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.22, 1918.

1,130,324, Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

ROBERT C. D. OWEN, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

BUILDING-BLOCK FOR WALL CONSTRUCTIONS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. Owen, subject of the King of Great Brita n, residing at Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Building-Blocks for Vall Constructions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in building blocks.

The primary object of the invention 1s to provide a toy building block Which may be used in the building of various constructions, and in which the blocks may be quickly assembled in the formation of a wall, or other structure and effectually held against displacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure in which the blocks of one row interlock with the rows of blocks above and below the same, the arrangement beingsuch that in the assembling of the blocks they may be inserted from, the center or both ends of a wall in the building of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a block in which no particular care need be taken in matching the blocks.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the blocks in a wall construction. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the blocks. Fig. 3 is a perspective "iew of one of the corner blocks, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a slightly modified form of block, which constitutes a key block. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the underside of a corner block.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying rawings by the same reference characters. In the drawing, 10 designates the line block which is substantially oblong, the upper face of the same being formed with a dove-tailed groove 11 which extends its entire length and opens through the ends thereof. The lower face of the block is formed with a dove-tailed rib 12 which extends the entire length of the block. This rib is in direct alinement with the groove on the reverse face of the block.

In the construction of a wall, the blocks Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 22, 1913.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915. Serial No. 786,173.

are placed one upon the other, the ribs on the under face of an upper row of blocks being inserted in the grooves in the upper face of an under row of blocks. The blocks in one row, as in the assembling of the usual wall construction, may be disposed in staggered relation with respect to the blocks of the rows which lie above and below the same, thereby forming a compact wall in which the blocks of each row are held against movement transversely of the Wall.

Particular attention is called to the fact that all of the blocks are of the same dimensions and the ribs on all the blocks are of the same construction and that it is unnecessary to match them in assembling a wall or other structure. It will also be seen that the structure is such as may be easily and economically manufactured from various materials.

The corner blocks 13, are each formed with a longitudinal groove 14: which opens through one end of the block but terminates short of the opposite end thereof. A transverse groove 15 opens through one side of the block and extends to a point adjacent the opposite side, the end wall 16 of said groove being beveled. The lower faces of the blocks 13 are formed with longitudinal ribs 17 which are to be engaged in the transverse grooves of subjacent blocks, and When the end of such rib engages the beveled end wall 16 the end of the upper block willbe in the vertical plane of the side of the lower block and the blocks will be interlocked. The rib 17, of course, terminates short of that end of the block illustrated in Fig. 3,

having the transverse groove and has a beiieled end corresponding to the beveled wa l 16.

In the form shown in Fig. 4, the grooves of the blocks 19 are formed with straight side walls 18. These blocks constitute keyblocks, that is, in the laying of the Wall, two of such blocks may be placed end to end. It will be noted that the dove-tailed ribs of the next row of blocks may be inserted within the grooves 18 of the key-blocks, and the line blocks then moved longitudinally of the wall, the corner blocks being moved into place along the two sides or branches of the wall alternately. From the foreg ing, it will be obvious that the blocks may be readily assembled, and when assembled they will be effectually held against displacement.

It will be noted that a block of this character when constructed of wood or any other suitable material may be used in the building of toy structures, such as houses, towers and bridges, and that they-will provide a much more substantial structure than blocks whichare merely placed one upon the other. It will also be observed that while the blocks when assembled are efltectually held against displacement, the assembling of the blocks may be accomplished in a simple manner and that as the blocks need not be matched, the loss of one or more blocks from a set will not prevent the remaining blocks from being used. Asthe blocks may be easily assembled, a child will quickly learn to manipulate them and will train the eye and hand while amusing himself.

What I claim is I 1. A set of building blocks comprising line blocks, key blocks and corner blocks, all of said blocks having longitudinal dove- "tailed ribs on their under sides and longitu- -walls, the their upper sides with longitudinal grooves tailed ribs on their under sides, the key blocks being provided in their upper sides with longitudinal grooves having parallel line blocks being provided on having undercut walls and the corner blocks being provided in theirupper sides with longitudinal and transverse grooves having undercut walls.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT C. D. OWEN. [1,. s.] Witnesses:

G. O. WOODWARD, J. SLZENUSTING, Jr. 

